Wiesenthal Center Denounces Antisemitism at the Argentine National University of CUYO

May 9, 2019

Buenos Aires

In a letter addressed to the Rector of the Argentine National University of Cuyo, in Mendoza Province, the Director for International Relations and Representative for Latin America of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, respectively Drs. Shimon Samuels and Ariel Gelblung, denounced anti-Semitic behaviour that had met with no official reaction from the University authorities.

Julio Alejandro Neme Dorah, a lecturer on "Contemporary Arab Studies", has, reportedly, used this forum and its virtual platforms to instill hatred. As an example, on the May 1 Workers' Day, he called to rebel against the "Talmudist usurers", while at Easte, he apparently accused the People of Israel of "deicide".

He is regularly interviewed by the campus media, “Arab Debate”, formerly “Arab Planet”, claiming for example, “Zionist Judaism is the greatest catastrophe for humanity…Masters of the lie, they poison every people and are the enemies of humanity. The Talmud and Torah are the true Sword of Damocles”.

Similarly, a journalist, Silvia Sassola, also apparently speads a militant anti-Semitism from the campus universidad.com, disguised as anti-Zionism, she accuses Argentine Jews of “double loyalty”, among other antisemitic stereotypes.Add to this, harassment of Jewish students in the DAD College, a branch of the University.

"A university environment should educate for coexistence in diversity and not serve as refuge for hatemongers. To remain passive in the face of such behaviour suggests complicity in the consequences. We urge the Rector to take appropriate measures, including legal, to adopt a policy of zero tolerance for bigotry on his campus… Will be monitoring the situation”, declared the Center`s officials.

For further information, please contact Dr.Shimon Samuels at +336 09770158 or Dr. Ariel Gelblung at +54 9 11 49695365.The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO)